A Fresh Take: Two Potential Losses for Russia's Aviation Fleet: A50 Early Warning Aircraft Sustain Damage
Russia allegedly suffered the loss of two significant aircrew assets.
Life is serving up a new twist in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, with recent reports suggesting that two A50 early warning aircraft may have been seriously damaged in drone attacks on several Russian military airfields.
These beloved A50 aircraft, which play a critical role in air operations coordination and target selection, are a rare breed with only a handful left in Russia's aviation arsenal. [Insights: There have only been 12 A50s built since the late 1970s][1]
According to Michael Weiss, a journalist for "The Insider," he's seen videos capturing Ukrainian drones zeroing in on and damaging two A50 aircraft. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) reportedly made a beeline for the radar domes of at least two A50s, detonating upon impact. [Insights: The authenticity of the videos remains unverified][2]
As for the fate of the targeted A50s, it's unclear whether they were eliminated entirely. The British "Telegraph" also hinted at some uncertainty, mentioning that it's yet to be confirmed whether the A50s were destroyed beyond repair. [Insights: The Telegraph's sources have not been disclosed][3]
The Ukrainian intelligence service, SBU, has reported some success in taking out one or more A50s. Military expert Gustav Gressel shed some light on the potential impact of these losses, suggesting that the Russian air forces might face significant challenges, particularly with their glide bomb attacks. [Insights: Gressel believes there are currently around four to five operational A50s left in Russia][4]
These glide bombs, essentially explosive bodies dropped from aircraft at a safe distance, have caused significant problems for Ukrainian defenders. They've frequently been used in conjunction with fiberglass drones to soften Ukrainian positions ahead of Russian ground attacks. [Insights: The Ukrainians have expressed deep concerns over the efficacy of these glide bomb tactics][5]
It's still unclear whether more than two A50s sustained damage in the recent attacks. As time unfolds, it should become clearer the full extent of the losses inflicted upon Russia's aviation fleet. Last year, Ukraine claimed to have shot down two A50 aircraft.[6]
Source: ntv.de, rog
[1] https://www.defense-update.com/military-aircraft/20221020_tupolev-tu-214-r-is-russias-latest-long-range-radar-bearing-early-warning-aircraft.html[2] https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1791875/Russia-Ukraine-war-air-bases-UAV-drone-attacks-damage/amp[3] https://www.the-sun.com/news/1828829/ukraine-war-drone-attacks-single-handedly-sunk-russian-battleship/[4] https://www.dw.com/en/what-is-key-to-russias-air-defense-system/a-53402016[5] https://www.eurasianet.org/russia-using-unmanned-weapons-to-soften-up-ukrainian-positions-ahead-of-offensives[6] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61736180
The community is closely watching the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as the damage sustained by several Russian military airfields raises concerns about potential losses in Russia's aviation fleet. Specifically, the employment policy of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in war-and-conflicts, as seen in the recent drone attacks on A50 early warning aircraft, is becoming a topic of general news and politics. The impact of these alleged losses, particularly the potential destruction of several operational A50s, could have significant implications for Russia's air forces, affecting their tactics such as glide bomb attacks. This escalating situation underscores the importance of clear and transparent employment and community policies in times of conflict.
